Napoli join Newcastle in chase for Marseille defender

The relegation-threatened Magpies, who have the most porous back-line in the Premier League, will need to bolster their defensive options in the summer and N'Koulou is their top target.

Alan Pardew has brought several players from Ligue 1 to St James' Park in recent seasons and the 23-year-old could follow suit.

But N'Koulou might be tempted by offers from elsewhere, with reports suggesting Napoli have turned their attentions to the Cameroon international.

The Serie A side have placed the Marseille man on a three-man defensive shortlist alongside Manchester United target Mehdi Benatia and Cagliari's Davide Astori, who was linked with Southampton and Liverpool earlier this year.